Chandler didn't play much for Denver after returning from his pro season in China. He averaged 9.4 points in eight games before injuring his groin and hip. But he's an important cog in the 2012-13 Nuggets and beyond.
"I came into the league and Wilson was there in New York, so we've always been playing together," Gallinari said. "I know Wilson very well, and I think he's going to be very important for us. If we had him this year, we could have done more. Who knows?"
Chandler, 25, had hip surgery and is expected to be ready for training camp.
"Wilson has already proven that he's a 25-minute (per game) player in the NBA, and he's probably trying to prove that he's a 35-minute player," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "He has to get healthy to get back to the (25-minute level), and I think he will and our doctors think he will too.